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ISSUE ONE
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For too long it seems that these big wrestling news sites haven't done too much to cater to the avid women's wrestling fan. Is this niche audience just too much to handle? Well hopefully I can help change that as "Divas and the City" is written especially with you guys in mind – and if we can grab the attention of everyone else, that's great too! I truly feel that given the renewed focus and marked improvement in women's wrestling provided by both WWE and TNA it was time to capitalise and bring the WWE Divas and TNA Knockouts some much needed coverage! For a small time blogger myself, this is a big gig so I'd just like to thank Dave for seeing a little potential in my and my gimmick to give the column a shot! We will be here every Saturday (or aim to be), looking at the week's television for our favourite WWE Divas and TNA Knockouts, as well as exploring current storylines and news.
A little introduction to myself: My name is Melanie; I'm a 24 year old Journalism student from London, England. Like Carrie Bradshaw, I love writing however my subject of choice is Divas rather than sex. As well as writing this column, you can find me over at Diva-Dirt.com where I am the lead writer; so you know where to get your fix the 6 other days that are without a column! It is my personal belief that it's time that some female perspective was injected into the wrestling press and that is exactly what "Divas and the City" aims to do!
This week's top story: SmackDown is getting its very own women's title! The WWE Divas Championship was announced on SmackDown this week and for many fans it's a case of "Finally!" On the other hand, there are some fans who think a new women's title is not a good idea. We explore!
The prospect of another women's title in WWE, one specifically for SmackDown has been toyed with by fans for years. However, now more than ever the blue brand is finally in a position to house a fully fledged women's division and even a Divas Championship. What a difference a year makes – it was this time last year that the seeds were planted for the division with the drafting of Torrie Wilson and Victoria. Using the two veterans as a launching pad for women's action on a weekly basis, WWE then threw the likes of Michelle McCool into the mix – and what a success story that has been. Say what you will about Michelle, but there is no denying how far this girl has come in the recent months. I will be honest, up until a few months ago I wasn't keen on Michelle but I'm pleased to say she has won me over, her work with Victoria and Natalya has been on point and I truly think that Michelle is a diamond in the rough and could be a future headliner for the women's division as a whole. The SmackDown! Divas contest pre-WrestleMania – as ridiculous as it was actually played a vital role – it integrated the likes of Cherry and Maryse into the developing women's division, setting the foundations for the talent pool we have now.
In the month or so after WrestleMania, Raw had to transition from the Playboy flavour of the month to a viable contender for the Women's Championship and during that time, SmackDown stealthily flew under the radar and began to deliver solid women's action week to week. For the first time in history, Diva fans looked forward more to SmackDown's Diva action than Raw's. The debut of Natalya, the feud that followed with Michelle and even a secondary feud between Cherry and Maryse were well written and well executed. A year on, it should be of no surprise that SmackDown is ready to give these Divas something to wrestle for. After the Cruiserweight Championship was retired, I had an inkling this may happen and with Night of Champions just a few weeks away – it feels like the perfect time to introduce a new title.
Each Diva on SmackDown and ECW right now (well the ones involved in the "Golden Dreams" match) are capable in the ring, one must assume that also factors into WWE's decision to bring in a new title. I was much surprised to see that Cherry and Maryse were as good as they are in the ring; they put on a very decent match when they had their first singles match against each other a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, ECW's Kelly Kelly and Layla have both improved vastly, seeing Kelly's work against Natalya (ow that was an intense match-up!) and Layla's work with Michelle, they have come a long way from the girls who famously botched a handspring elbow last year. Meanwhile, you have Michelle, Natalya and Victoria – all so competent in the ring, that SmackDown will continue to flourish in future with new, unique match combinations.
On SmackDown, Natalya became the first Diva to advance to the big title match and rightfully so, Natalya has so much talent and in-ring logic like no other Diva. As for her opponent it would be wrong not to have Michelle McCool in there, you cannot push this girl as SmackDown's top Diva only to have her not involved in the big title match. I don't think WWE would be so brash either, I fully expect Michelle vs Natalya at Night of Champions and I say bring it on. Over the past few weeks, WWE has dropped the ball with this feud, but optimistically they'll get right back on track and these Divas will have a match for the ages. The first SmackDown Divas match on pay per view in – well I'm not entirely sure how long; this must be an amazing match.
As exciting as this may be, what of the Women's Championship? With all the storied history behind that belt, it'll be hard for WWE to have the two be equal to each other without one lacking the same lustre. No doubt, it will likely be SmackDown's Divas Championship that is seen as inferior, although isn't that the way with all of SmackDown's titles in relation to Raw? As long as both SmackDown and Raw continue to deliver great action, I will be making no compare between the two titles.
We'll just have to wait and see where things go for the Divas Championship, but needless to say it is a step forward for WWE who have upped their game Diva-wise in recent weeks. With all this focus on women's wrestling – Raw delivering an amazing pay per view match at One Night Stand, talented Divas getting the spotlight on Monday nights and now SmackDown's own title – I just can't help but feel something's gotta give. This is WWE after all! Isn't the next Diva Search just around the corner? Until then, I know I will be tuning in attentively to SmackDown next week to see what happens next and I urge you to do the same!
Extra Thoughts
- History was made at One Night Stand and not just in the literal sense, yes it was the first Divas 'I Quit' match but Beth Phoenix and Melina also set the bar for women's competition in WWE right now. These two had one hell of a match, technically sound and full of intensity. Though the match did have it's detractors (though I personally cannot see why), perhaps people think 'I Quit' match and think of blood, guts and brutality? Appreciate a good wrestling match, people!
- The follow-up to One Night Stand was very well done too. The Beth Phoenix-Melina feud has renewed my interest in Raw's women's division, it has been so intriguing and after One Night Stand I had no idea what they'd do next and that made me want to watch the show. The angle with Melina was fantastic and gained a big pop when she finally got tagged in and went after Beth. Again, I want to know what will happen next and want to tune in next week – you don't need $1m, Vince, you need stuff like this.
- I am pretty high on Katie Lea, I think she has amazing potential, so to see her integrated into the women's division on Raw was a long time coming for me. I think we have a future Women's Champion on our hands!
- As for Impact, it wasn't just the Divas who delivered this week. The Knockout Street Fight was solid and very watchable. Although Velvet Sky vs ODB is rather a mismatch, Sky really took me by surprise and I enjoyed this match.
- Daffney made her national television return this week, for the first time since WCW (I believe). I was never an avid viewer of WCW but I do know who Daffney is and think she looked fantastic on Impact. I was curious to see what she looked like after all these years, the years have been kind! I hope the rumours that she has been offered a contract are true.
- I don't think I'm looking forward to the tag team match at Slammiversary; this match doesn't scream "pay per view" to me, let alone TNA's anniversary show which is their second biggest pay per view of the year. That said, I expect the match will be another example of TNA's great women's division.
- As for the SoCal Val-Black Machismo wedding, this will be another example of TNA's warped idea of entertainment.
That's your lot for this week! I will be back once again next week, so check back then. Feel free to bug me by e-mail; I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. For more Diva-dom to last you the rest of the week, I suggest you check out Diva-Dirt.com! Thanks for reading!
Melanie Adler - divadirt@gmail.com
